Effectiveness of emotional-social skills traning in psychological distress and social isolation by moderating the coping styles in symptoms of depressed adolescents

Depressive disorder is associated with various consequences such as psychological distress and social isolation, whichtheir removing is of importance.

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of social-emotional skills training on psychological disturbance and social isolation in adolescents with depressive symptoms by modulating coping styles.

This research is a semi-experimental type. Its statistical population was formed by male students suffering from depression disorder in Baneh city with an age range of 16-18 years in 2020. 30 students were targeted and screening method selected as a statistical sample based on the results of the Lazarus and Folkman coping styles scale and divided into two groups of 15 people (excitement-oriented and problem-oriented) were divided. The questionnaires used in this research included Beck Depression Questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Questionnaire and Social Isolation Questionnaire. SPSS version 20 software and multivariate covariance analysis were used for data analysis.

The results of data analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance showed that social-emotional skills training was effective in improving psychological disturbance and social isolation. Also, coping styles moderate the effect of social-emotional skills training in psychological disturbance and signs of social isolation (P<0.05).

The findings of this study showed that teaching emotional and social skills to adolescents with symptoms of depression was useful and reduces psychological disturbance and social isolation, and the type of coping styles was also effective in these changes. It is suggested to include social-emotional skills training in the treatment program of adolescents with depression.